14nts Canadian Rockies self drive

Approximate driving time: 2 hours.

Today, your Canadian road trip from Calgary to Vancouver begins. The drive from your hotel in Calgary to your next hotel in Banff takes less than two hours, following the Trans-Canada Highway through the beautiful scenery of the Canadian Rockies.

Approximately 20 minutes before reaching Banff, we recommend stopping at the parking and boat-launch area along the scenic Lake Minnewanka Road. This is one of the best viewpoints from which to admire this incredible glacial lake surrounded by mountains.

Legend has it that the remains of an old village lie beneath the waters of the lake.

Begin your day with a walk beside the turquoise waters of Lake Louise. Afterwards, take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain and enjoy the magnificent panoramic views.

The walking trail around Bow Falls is also well worth doing, time permitting.

Approximate driving time: 4 hours.

Today, you will travel along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular roads in the world, connecting Banff with Jasper. There are countless places to stop and admire the scenery of the Canadian Rockies. We recommend taking your time and allowing most of the day to enjoy this beautiful journey.

You can stop at Bow Lake, a particularly beautiful glacial lake, followed by Peyto Lake, which many consider to have one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the Rockies. The lake resembles the head of a wolf and has an intense turquoise-blue colour.

Another impressive place to visit is the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America. You can get close to the glacier or perhaps take an excursion aboard an Ice Explorer vehicle. Shortly before reaching Jasper, you can also stop at Athabasca Falls.

You have two full days to explore Jasper and its beautiful surroundings. You may wish to visit Jasper town centre, enjoy the local cafés and restaurants or explore some of the nearby lakes and walking trails.

One recommended driving route takes you past Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake, both located very close to Jasper. You could also visit Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake.

Depending on the season and weather conditions, there are opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, kayaking and scenic boat trips.

Today, you will enjoy another picturesque drive as you continue towards Salmon Arm. The direct journey takes approximately five to six hours, although we recommend making several stops along the way to enjoy the scenery.

Depending on your chosen route, you may pass through Mount Robson Provincial Park and the town of Kamloops, where you will find viewpoints, natural attractions and places to stop for lunch.

Spend the morning enjoying a walk along the waterfront and pier beside Shuswap Lake.

In the afternoon, you could visit a local winery or farmers’ market. Kayaking and paddleboarding are also available on the lake, while Canoe Beach is another pleasant place to relax.

Approximate driving time: 6 hours.

The drive from Salmon Arm to Whistler takes approximately six hours. It is a fairly long journey, although the roads are generally in very good condition.

As you will be travelling through mountainous areas, please take care on the winding sections of the road. A lovely place to stop is Lillooet, a small town surrounded by mountains. You will also travel along Duffey Lake Road, which offers spectacular scenery and mountain views.

Whistler is a charming mountain resort town with a permanent population of approximately 15,000 people and a wide selection of restaurants, cafés and shops.

We recommend taking the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, from where you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

You will also have time to explore Whistler Village, take a scenic walk or enjoy one of the many outdoor activities available in the area.

Approximate driving time: 1½ hours.

Today, you will continue towards Vancouver. The journey takes less than two hours, so it is a relatively short drive.

The route is spectacular, following the beautiful Sea to Sky Highway, with dramatic mountain, forest and coastal scenery along the way.

Three full days will give you plenty of time to explore Vancouver and its surroundings. You could dedicate your first day to Vancouver city centre, including Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium and a walk through historic Gastown.

On another day, you may wish to visit Vancouver Island, perhaps taking a day trip to Victoria or joining a whale-watching excursion.

Your third day could include Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge or a visit to one of Vancouver’s attractive neighbourhoods, such as Kitsilano.

Vancouver has a great deal to offer, with a wonderful combination of city attractions, mountains, parks and ocean scenery.

In the morning, return your rental car to the rental office at Vancouver International Airport.

Take your return flight home.